Post #594883 by TropicDrinkBoy on Fri, Jun 24, 2011 6:14 PM

I'm sorry but I have to disagree that Senior Curacao makes an inferior Mai Tai. I kind of hate to write this as, like Donn Beach, I don't like to reveal my secrets, but here is my Ultimate Mai Tai and it uses Senior Curacao. It is the Trader Vic recipe as described in Sippin' Safari (Orgeat and Simple Syrup increased to 3/8oz vs. 1/2oz) and I've only specified the specific ingredients. Some of these ingredients are really hard to get but luckily I live in the San Francisco bay area so they are only hard to get.

1oz freshly squeezed lime juice
1oz Appleton Estate Extra Rum (12 year)
1oz Saint James Royal Amber Rum
1/2oz Senior Curacao
3/8oz Trader Tiki Orgeat
3/8oz Small Hand Foods Gum Syrup

Garnish with spent lime shell, mint, cherry and pineapple

I just tried substituting 1/2 oz Grand Marnier for the Senior Curacao and tasted them side by side (see picture below). I've previously tried Grand Marnier knowing that it is a Curacao (before I found a source for Senior Curacao), and my impressions were the same as before, it makes for a very boring Mai Tai! The Grand Marnier version is very bland, less fruity, less tart and a one dimensional flavor profile. The Senior version has a broad spectrum of flavors and after tastes which makes it a more interesting drink to me. My guess is that you must be using more than 1/2oz of Grand Marnier to make it interesting. As always tastes are an individual preference and you know what you like. I'm not saying that you're wrong but we certainly are different! After two Mai Tai's I feel like doing more research!